Keeping Jewelry Clean
Caring for
your jewelry starts with proper wear. That means knowing when to put your
jewelry on – and when to take it off:
·
Put jewelry
on after applying makeup, perfume and hairspray. Also, handle gems and pearls as
little as possible, since skin oil can build up over time and dull their
appearance.
·
Remove your
jewelry if you're going to do any manual labor, including housework. A bracelet
can be easily broken or bent if it catches on a hook. Gems, even diamonds, can
chip or crack if they're knocked against a hard surface. Another danger comes
from the harsh solvents used in cleaning, which are not good for any kind of
jewelry and particularly harmful to pearls.
·
If you wear
earrings, it's usually best to remove them while you're having your hair styled.
That way the stylist's comb won't catch them. And, never wear pearl earrings or
necklaces while you're having your hair colored. Some of the coloring agents
contain alcohol and other chemicals that can mar the luster of the pearls.
·
If you're
right-handed, think about wearing a bracelet or watch on your left wrist since
you don't use it as much as your right. The opposite applies if you're
left-handed.
A regular
professional cleaning is a
good idea. Not only does it keep your jewelry looking its best, it also ensures
that a trained professional takes a look at it at least once a year, allowing
for the earliest possible detection of wear or damage. Between professional
cleanings, however, there are some things you can do to keep your jewelry clean:
Diamonds
For diamonds, use a soft-bristled non-metallic brush and a mild ammonia and
water solution. Gently scrub away any grime, especially around the prongs or
setting where buildup is likely. Even a clean looking diamond often has a thin
layer of skin oil and will shine better after a cleaning. Rinse in warm water.
Please don’t clean the item in the sink; too often it ends up down the
drainpipe.
Gemstones
Cleaning gemstones are easy. Simply soak the piece in a bowl of warm, soapy
water for several minutes and then use a soft, non-metallic brush to remove any
grime. Rinse in warm water. Don’t use harsh chemical cleaners, and don’t clean
the item in the sink; too often it ends up down the drainpipe. Also keep in mind
that some gemstones may have been treated or enhanced by heating, oiling,
irradiation or diffusion. Heated and irradiated stones generally don’t require
special care when cleaning, but diffused stones could become lighter if scrubbed
too hard. Also, the oil on an emerald can be stripped away by cleaning, making
the emerald change appearance.
Pearls
Pearls are beautiful. Unfortunately, the layers of nacre of which a pearl is
made are very soft by jewelry standards and easily damaged. Since it is an
organic compound, pearls also are easily dulled or even eaten away by chemicals
and alcohol.
